For Patients

Insurance Plans We Accept

Most physicians participate with Medicare and commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, HIP, Local 1199, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare, and Multiplan. For specific participation inquiries about your physician, please call us at 212-305-9535.

For First-Time Patients

Please expect your first visit with us to take 1.5 to 2 hours. 

Don't forget to bring to bring the following items to your visit:

• Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Sunglasses (for light sensitivity after dilation during your examination).
• List of all your current medications (including eye drops).
• Pertinent medical records.
• A photo ID.
• Proof of insurance coverage.
• Authorization or referral forms if required by your insurance company.
• Questions for your doctor.

If you haven't already, please sign up for Connect Patient Portal. With Connect, you'll be able to self-schedule or reschedule follow-up visits, ask your doctor a question, and request a refill for your medication. In addition, you can minimize your wait time in the office by completing any necessary forms and pay your copay by completing your e-Checkin up to five days before your visit.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please do so on Connect at least 24 hours before your scheduled visit. Otherwise, a no-show fee of $75 may apply.

Medication Refills

We kindly ask you to choose one of the following options when requesting prescription refills:

• Request your refills during your visit.
• Electronic Refills through Your Pharmacy: Contact your pharmacy, and they will electronically process your refill request. It's quick and hassle-free!
• Request Refills through the Connect Patient Portal. With just a few clicks, you can request your refills online.

For Eyeglasses or Contact Lens Prescriptions

The Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is primarily a tertiary and quaternary care center, so most physicians do not typically see patients solely for contact lens fitting or eyeglass prescriptions. In addition, refraction (the test that determines the need for corrective glasses and/or contact lenses), is considered a "vision" service and is not covered by Medicare or most medical insurance plans. We do not participate in vision insurance.

Our refraction fee is $80 and is collected at the time of service. If you are a Medicare patient, you will be charged for this service since Medicare does not cover it. If you have a non-Medicare insurance plan, the refraction policy still applies. We will bill your insurance, and if payment is approved, we will refund you accordingly.